What should I do when my child comes home from preschool with things that don't belong to him?

Don't be too hard on him — ownership is still a fuzzy concept for a preschooler. He knows it's not really okay to take things that don't belong to him. On the other hand, he can't always imagine what it feels like to have something taken from him. As a result, his desire for a particular object sometimes gets the upper hand, and he'll simply help himself to it.

If you catch your preschooler red-handed, emphasize that what he did isn't acceptable. Have him return the item and apologize. Don't dwell on the act of stealing, though, which will make the issue more negative than it needs to be at this point. Instead, encourage his growing sense of empathy by talking with him about how his action might have made his friend or teacher feel, and about how he'd feel if someone took one of his belongings.

This Internet site provides information of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your own health or the health of your child, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Please review the Terms of Use before using this site. Your use of the site indicates your agreement to be bound by the Terms of Use.

This site is published by BabyCenter, L.L.C., which is responsible for its contents as further described and qualified in the Terms of Use.